Antidepressants Advice

Georgina63

Registered User
Aug 11, 2014
973
0
My Dad, with AD has been in a CH for a few months. The GP has called to discuss whether to prescribe antidepressants. OH took the call so I haven't yet had an opportunity to speak to the GP direct, or to the CH about this (though this has not come up in previous discussions with the home). Before I do, I wanted ask your experiences, whether positive or not so I am a bit better prepared. Thanks all. Georgina X
 

Shedrech

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
12,649
0
UK
hi Georgina63
dad's been taking sertraline since shortly after his diagnosis and it made a clear difference at that time with no negative symptoms; harder to tell now 4 years on but don't want to stop as he needs all the help he can get
I guess have a good chat with all concerned and if you go ahead monitor carefully as tweaks of dose and what time to take the meds may be needed
best wishes
 

Digilux108

Registered User
Nov 7, 2016
45
0
Essex
My Dad, with AD has been in a CH for a few months. The GP has called to discuss whether to prescribe antidepressants. OH took the call so I haven't yet had an opportunity to speak to the GP direct, or to the CH about this (though this has not come up in previous discussions with the home). Before I do, I wanted ask your experiences, whether positive or not so I am a bit better prepared. Thanks all. Georgina X

Hi Georgina

I found an interesting article on the Kings College London that summarises research that was published in the Lancet last year. It refers to the use of antidepressants setraline and mirtazapine and their effect on dementia. You might like to read it here.

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/news/rec...mentiapatientscouldprovemoreharmthangood.aspx

Although I looked after my mother at home because she would never have liked to have ended up in a CH, I did occasionally have to put her in one for a few days in order to get some respite. I noticed a considerable change in her mood when she was in the CH. She became withdrawn and seemed totally lost. From what I now know in having done a course on Dementia, this withdrawal results from depression. It kind of makes sense to me now because once she came home, she brightened up considerably.

Although each person and case is so different, there may be some issues with the CH that are affecting your dad for example. Something my be upsetting him. He may be feeling isolated, worried about his condition or that he is unable to do certain things. It might be worth looking into it in more detail.

In the later stages of her dementia, my mother was prescribed mirtazapine because of her agitation. However, it seemed to create more insomnia and hence wasn't of any benefit.
 

stanleypj

Registered User
Dec 8, 2011
10,712
0
North West
5 years ago I agreed, against my better judgement, to try Sue on a small dose of Amitriptyline as she had had a relatively sudden decline and was quite disturbed in her behaviour. I gave the dose to her at night. She woke up raving, hallucinating and very distressed, quite unlike anything I had seen before.

Needless to say that was the end of that. The specialist who had prescribed the medication said the effects should wear off quickly. They didn't, but eventually things settled down and very gradually Sue became calmer. But the whole experience was very disturbing. The fact is that no-one can accurately predict how a particular medication will affect a particular person. Perhaps some anti-depressants are less likely to have drastic side-effects than others.
 

MollyD

Registered User
Mar 27, 2016
1,696
0
Ireland
Georgina, mum was prescribed mirtazapine over a year and a half ago.

Initially, 7.5mg. Over a year it was gradually increased to 45mg. These increases were made by the community psych for the elderly (last incremental increase was made during mum's last stay in hospital in Sept).

I saw a gradual improvement in mum on the higher dose. She was more relaxed. It wasn't a huge improvement but any improvement gave her longer stretches of better moods.

Since Christmas, I'm seeing an increase in her anxiety and mild depression, which is why I've asked for a medical review.

Wishing you all the best with this decision for your dad. x
 

Soobee

Registered User
Aug 22, 2009
2,731
0
South
GPs often prescribe citalopram as an antidepressant to people with dementia - my mum took it and I think it helped her.

I'd taken it many years ago but it made me very anxious when it was supposed to be calming. I also felt nauseous on it. But it didn't cause those issues for mum. There are many options for different antidepressants and it's a case of finding one that suits best (in my case Effexor was the best for me).

I think they are worth a try if you think your dad is depressed. Give them a month or so to work and they'll probably start with a low dose anyway.
 

Georgina63

Registered User
Aug 11, 2014
973
0
hi Georgina63
dad's been taking sertraline since shortly after his diagnosis and it made a clear difference at that time with no negative symptoms; harder to tell now 4 years on but don't want to stop as he needs all the help he can get
I guess have a good chat with all concerned and if you go ahead monitor carefully as tweaks of dose and what time to take the meds may be needed
best wishes

Thank you. There's a lot to consider isn't there?! Appreciate the advice. Gx
 

Georgina63

Registered User
Aug 11, 2014
973
0
Hi Georgina

I found an interesting article on the Kings College London that summarises research that was published in the Lancet last year. It refers to the use of antidepressants setraline and mirtazapine and their effect on dementia. You might like to read it here.

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/news/rec...mentiapatientscouldprovemoreharmthangood.aspx

Although I looked after my mother at home because she would never have liked to have ended up in a CH, I did occasionally have to put her in one for a few days in order to get some respite. I noticed a considerable change in her mood when she was in the CH. She became withdrawn and seemed totally lost. From what I now know in having done a course on Dementia, this withdrawal results from depression. It kind of makes sense to me now because once she came home, she brightened up considerably.

Although each person and case is so different, there may be some issues with the CH that are affecting your dad for example. Something my be upsetting him. He may be feeling isolated, worried about his condition or that he is unable to do certain things. It might be worth looking into it in more detail.

In the later stages of her dementia, my mother was prescribed mirtazapine because of her agitation. However, it seemed to create more insomnia and hence wasn't of any benefit.

Thank you, that's interesting. There seem to be many varying opinions and experiences, but am starting to feel a bit better informed. As you say, it's important to understand other issues too, quite a complex situation! Gx
 

Georgina63

Registered User
Aug 11, 2014
973
0
5 years ago I agreed, against my better judgement, to try Sue on a small dose of Amitriptyline as she had had a relatively sudden decline and was quite disturbed in her behaviour. I gave the dose to her at night. She woke up raving, hallucinating and very distressed, quite unlike anything I had seen before.

Needless to say that was the end of that. The specialist who had prescribed the medication said the effects should wear off quickly. They didn't, but eventually things settled down and very gradually Sue became calmer. But the whole experience was very disturbing. The fact is that no-one can accurately predict how a particular medication will affect a particular person. Perhaps some anti-depressants are less likely to have drastic side-effects than others.

Thanks Stanleypj, I'm very sorry to hear your experience with Sue's medication was not a positive one. There seem to be so many options. I've always been a bit wary of antidepressants. I can remember being described diazepam having gone to the doctors suffering from migraines when studying for A Levels (a long time ago now, thought to be anxiety related I guess. My Dad went nuts when he heard and I didn't take them! Bes5 wishes. Gx
 

Georgina63

Registered User
Aug 11, 2014
973
0
Georgina, mum was prescribed mirtazapine over a year and a half ago.

Initially, 7.5mg. Over a year it was gradually increased to 45mg. These increases were made by the community psych for the elderly (last incremental increase was made during mum's last stay in hospital in Sept).

I saw a gradual improvement in mum on the higher dose. She was more relaxed. It wasn't a huge improvement but any improvement gave her longer stretches of better moods.

Since Christmas, I'm seeing an increase in her anxiety and mild depression, which is why I've asked for a medical review.

Wishing you all the best with this decision for your dad. x

Thanks MollyD, an ever moving target I guess. So difficult there's not a straightforward solution. I hope the medical review proves helpful. I Find it hard to be having to make these decisions and the responsibility of making one that might prove not to be the best. On the other hand, I shall look on the bright side in that it may be an opportunity to improve things....Gx
 

Georgina63

Registered User
Aug 11, 2014
973
0
GPs often prescribe citalopram as an antidepressant to people with dementia - my mum took it and I think it helped her.

I'd taken it many years ago but it made me very anxious when it was supposed to be calming. I also felt nauseous on it. But it didn't cause those issues for mum. There are many options for different antidepressants and it's a case of finding one that suits best (in my case Effexor was the best for me).

I think they are worth a try if you think your dad is depressed. Give them a month or so to work and they'll probably start with a low dose anyway.
Thanks Soobee, I will ask what the GP has in mind. Gx
 

Georgina63

Registered User
Aug 11, 2014
973
0
Thanks again everyone. After a long discussion with the GP about Dad, the conclusion was that it was felt we don't need to go down the route of prescribing antidepressants at present. Very impressed with the GP and good to know that he is looking out for Dad. Gx